How to Fix PCOS-Related Infertility: Treatment Steps & Options
Wondering how to fix PCOS with infertility? While PCOS can make conception tricky, many women conceive successfully through guided lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, and IVF when needed.
🧘 Lifestyle First—The Foundation
- For overweight individuals, even **5–10% weight loss** can restore ovulation and improve fertility.([turn0search26][turn0search27])
- Follow a balanced diet (e.g. low‑GI, Mediterranean style) and aim for **150–250 minutes of moderate exercise weekly**.([turn0search26][turn0news23])
- Behavioral tools—SMART goals, tracking, stress support—help sustain long-term change.([turn0search26])
💊 Ovulation-Inducing Medications
- **Letrozole (Femara)** is the first-line option—2.5 mg daily for 5 days—more effective than clomiphene with fewer twins.([turn0news19][turn0search27])
- **Clomiphene citrate (Clomid)** is next, especially if letrozole isn’t available—it stimulates ovulation in many PCOS patients.([turn0search0][turn0search2])
- **Metformin** may be added if insulin resistance exists—helps lower risk of OHSS and may support ovulation but isn’t primary first-line.([turn0search27][turn0search29])
⚕️ Surgery: Ovarian Drilling When Meds Fail
- Laparoscopic **ovarian drilling** punctures follicles to lower androgen levels and restore ovulation—good option when medications don’t work.([turn0search24])
- It reduces multiple pregnancy risk, but has surgical risks like adhesions or rare ovarian injury.([turn0search24])
👩🔬 Assisted Reproductive Options
- If ovulation induction fails, **IVF using GnRH antagonist protocols with freeze-all strategy** minimizes ovarian hyperstimulation risk.([turn0search6][turn0search5])
- An alternative: **in vitro maturation (IVM)**—immature eggs matured in lab—reduces risk of OHSS and lowers cost in PCOS.([turn0search25])
🧪 Supplements & Supportive Treatments
- **Myo‑inositol or Coenzyme Q10** may support ovarian response in poor responders, sometimes improving egg quality or fertilization.([turn0search28])
📊 Summary Table
| Approach | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle changes | Improve insulin sensitivity, restore natural ovulation |
| Letrozole or Clomid | Stimulate ovulation safely and effectively |
| Metformin (if insulin resistance) | Reduces OHSS risk; may assist ovulation |
| Ovarian drilling | Alternative when meds don’t work; fewer multiples |
| IVF / IVM | For resistant cases; IVM lowers OHSS risk |
⚡ Key Takeaway
Fixing infertility linked to PCOS begins with lifestyle—and progresses through tailored medications like letrozole, or clomiphene if needed. Surgical options like ovarian drilling can help when meds fail. For persistent infertility, IVF or IVM offer effective paths. Tailored care and expert guidance unlock success for most women.
Keyword: how to fix PCOS with infertility